NH Lawmakers Reject Bill To Repeal Gay Marriage Law

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire lawmakers have rejected a bill that would have made their state the first to repeal a gay marriage law through legislation — a move opposed by the governor.

The Republican-controlled House voted 211-116 on Monday to kill the bill that would have repealed the 2-year-old law and restored a law that allowed civil unions in 2008 and 2009.

For months, gay marriage supporters lobbied to secure the margin needed to kill the bill if it reached Democratic Gov. John Lynch’s desk and his promised veto. A two-thirds vote would have been needed to override a veto of the repeal, which would have taken effect in March 2013.